Please be informed that the grace period for the implementation of timber import legality regulations under Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) are extended to 2 January 2017. The fully enforcement of the regulations will begin on 3 January 2017. Application of import licences for round logs, baulks and plywood from MTIB shall enclosed with legality document from the producing countries.

Documents adopted as legality document (evidence) is either one of the following:

(1)CITES Permit from member countries of Convention of International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna - mandatory submitted for CITES

listed the species; or

(2)The FLEGT Licence under Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade; or

(3)Timber Certification such as FSC, PEFC, MTCS and other credible certification scheme; or

(6)Customs Declaration Form from producing countries - used within the grace period only.

All importers of round logs, baulks, and plywood are required to take note of this regulation. As a pre-emptive measure, all importers of other timber products are also advised to obtain legality evidence from respective producing countries, particularly for products which will undergo further processing, and to be re-exported to the European Union countries.

Click HERE to download the MTIB Director General Circular dated 30 May 2016, and click HERE to download the MTIB Director General Circular dated 21 December 2015.